PRATT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
TOPEKA, KS — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in partnership with the Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC), has successfully completed a major maternal quality improvement initiative aimed at improving maternal health and reducing preventable deaths and complications across the state. Focused on the postpartum period—a critical time for maternal well-being—the initiative has made significant strides in engaging families, hospitals, and community partners to enhance birth experiences and maternal outcomes.
A review of data from the Kansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee (KMMRC) from 2016 to 2020, identified that more than half (52.4%) of all pregnancy-associated deaths occurred after 42 days postpartum. The KMMRC recommended that all providers thoroughly screen, provide brief interventions and make appropriate referrals based on screening results. Additional recommendations included improving communication and collaboration between providers and dramatically increasing patient education and empowerment. In response, KDHE and the KPQC launched the Fourth Trimester Initiative (FTI), an innovative and collaborative quality improvement effort focused on enhancing postpartum care, based on the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Postpartum Discharge Transition patient safety bundle. The FTI focuses on quality care and provider communication and collaboration related to the transition from pregnancy through the postpartum period. Pratt Regional Medical Center participated in the initiative along with 38 other hospitals and 2 birth centers, impacting approximately 93% of all births in the state.
FTI participating facilities received education and direct technical assistance to support implementation of the nine Postpartum Discharge Transition AIM patient safety bundle components. Participating facilities that completed seven to nine of the FTI initiatives achieved a Gold Level recognition; four to six initiatives achieved Silver Level recognition; and 0-3 initiatives achieved Bronze Level recognition. At the end of December 2024, Pratt Regional Medical Center had achieved Gold Level recognition.
As the initiative transitions into its next phase, facilities will continue applying these evidence-based practices to improve maternal outcomes.
Through education, data-driven strategies, and collaboration, KDHE and the KPQC continue working toward making Kansas the best place to Give Birth, Be Born, and Raise a Family.
For more information about maternal health efforts in Kansas, please visit https://kansaspqc.kdhe.ks.gov/ or contact the AIM Coordinator at [email protected].